Women's Reservation Bill : Live Updates From Rajya Sabha

VP Dhankar: Mr O'Brien is requested to authenticate two statements made by him: One, men came with money; and second, allegation against present UP CM.

You will have to authenticate during course of day, that's a directive.

O'Brien also refers to an alleged remark by then-Gorakhpur MP Yogi Adiyanath, reported in media, opposing women's reservation bill in 2010 -

"Air-conditioned room people in Delhi cannot decide public policy. This bill will drown the Indian political system if it goes through. If men develop feminine traits, they become gods, but if women develop masculine traits they become demons… Western ideas of women’s liberation should be properly analysed in the Indian context."

O'Brien: This was said by current CM of Uttar Pradesh. You can build a new building, but you must change your mindset first.

Derek O'Brien also says -

"In 2021, during assembly elections in Bengal, men came with money, media, muscle power, and misogyny and mocked Mamata Banerjee by saying, 'Didi o Didi'. But people of Bengal gave their answer."

O'Brien: My mother used to say, there are two kinds of people: talkers & doers. One difference between them. There's a male Prime Minister of India, and there's a simple woman who is the Chief Minister of West Bengal. Thank you.

Derek O'Brien objects to 'secrecy' around bill -

"When will govt learn this is parliamentary democracy and not army operation? In the latter, you may need secrecy, but in a parliamentary democracy, you need cooperation."

KC Venugopal: Nadda ji talks about political representation. Who is controlling their party? Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. How many women are in RSS?

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav: We are proud of organisation with which we are being linked. Along with RSS, there is Rashtra Sevika Samiti which is constituted entirely of women committed to nationalism. Congresswale thik se tuition leke phir bola karein.

KC Venugopal: We need two assurances: This bill will have to be implemented immediately, and provision has to be made for OBC reservation. If this bill can only be enforced in '29, then why call a special session?

VP Jagdeep Dhankar speaks about Prez Draupadi Murmu and his absence at inauguration function -

"There have been no constitutional transgressions. As opposition party members, you must do your homework. Read the Constitution."

Congress MP KC Venugopal: What happened in '89 when Rajiv Gandhi introduced reservation bill for women in local bodies? Entire BJP gang opposed it, stalwarts - LK Advani, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Ram Jethmalani. Record of Rajya Sabha.

After having opposed bills for women's empowerment in the past, now they have become women's champion, ahead of Lok Sabha elections. When will this be implemented? When will census & delimitation be conducted?

#YSRCP MP Subhas Chandra Bose Pilli raises demands relating to OBC reservation, highlights other concerns.

"Object of Indian reservation system is to improve access to opportunities. Why does this bill not include OBC women?"

#BJD MP Sulata Deo supports the bills, says -

"If women are not empowered, the community, the society, the state, or the country cannot progress."